In Memory of…

Not sure where to begin on this one…… I think I knew I was going to lose my mum the day the surgeon’s understudy was sent to tell us that they couldn’t remove her lung……my heart just fell apart….. Mum had started coughing Christmas 2011, she went to the doctors and after a few shots at antibiotics, a doctor sent her for an X-ray…..it was only during a stay in hospital with suspected pneumonia a few weeks later that we kind of knew the X-ray had shown a shadow…..a wait to see the specialist confirmed our worst fears…..I thought that day was the worst day of my life….. we were referred to a surgeon….He was very optimistic (and rather arrogant) in his approach and attitude….he declared that “he was the only one who could remove mums lung and that his track record spoke volumes” with mum’s cancer only measuring 4cm and contained within the lower lobe we were convinced….mum wanted every shot at life…..and so she took the offer of the operation gratefully. We were told and have since had confirmed that between diagnosis and agreeing to the op mum should have been in within six weeks…….cock up after cock up…..and the surgeon going on holiday for two weeks….and leaving instructions that no one else was to do the op…..we waited…….our faith in his hands…. 13 weeks and after one cancelled (by the hospital last minute) we kissed a positive but very frightened mum down at the theatre doors…..9 hours later and after some serious complication with her blood pressure and blood loss she was back in intensive care……where a very kind nurse finally tracked down the surgeon…..who sent his understudy to tell us that mum’s cancer had grown to 8 cm…..and had gone through the lining of her heart….therefore her lung and the cancer remained….. I knew I was going to lose my mum…. Unfortunately….mum and dad didn’t know this…..she was offered chemotherapy….she took it…….it wiped months of her fragile life…….she was offered hope from her Macmillan nurse (I am in full support of all people in the care profession and am the first to support/donate but for me in this case I was disappointed) the Macmillan nurse knew mum had aggressive lung cancer and yet persuaded mum and dad to believe that the chemotherapy was reducing the cancer…..it got to a point that in the August and during a routine follow up with her specialist….I forced the issue…….and asked the question. How long? Mum agreed that the specialist could tell us….(me and dad) but she preferred to leave the room……..it is only the second time I have seen my dad cry….. …….The consultants words although expected were like a knife…… “a couple of months at best” I thought this may be the worst day of my life……. Mum knew…….I held her eyes…..then hugged her…..she told me she loved me…..something she rarely said…..mum’s love was always apparent…..hugs….kisses…..simple gestures….always putting you before herself…….but rarely spoken. That day was really difficult, the consultant wanted Mum to stay in for a couple of days and have a blood transfusion – we all sadly just wanted to go home. sitting around the hospital bed all knowing and yet not saying…..just heart wrenching. Dealing with Dad’s anger (aimed mainly at the surgeon), trips in and out of hospital/hospice, and trying to keep a lid on my emotions was hard……we got through it……. We had lots of special days when mum was strong enough….and in the November we had what was to be our last meal out together…

precious moments…..

we enjoyed a day out….hiring a mini bus….mum watched the kids play on the beach and collected shells for her….they each won her special things from the arcades (all those went with her in her coffin) we sat and ate fish and chips as the sun set…..

our last day trip to the sea….

I spent a very special Christmas with her…..Christmas Eve hot pork sandwich (our own little tradition which mum adored) kids bathed and ready for bed in their new PJs…..all crammed into mum’s room (she was home AND STAYING!!)…..then Christmas day….mum and Dad shared their last Christmas dinner together on their own…..while we all tried to be positive at my house (I live just round the corner – so “meals on wheels” was easy for me!) Mum’s sister Mal was over from Canada….she was a great support for dad while she was here. Christmas afternoon…..just me, Dad, Mal and a good friend of mine, Jo opened mum’s presents on her bed…..it was something special….Mum perked up and really connected…..we had Christmas in our own way that afternoon…….it was lovely.

mum and dad’s special Christmas day

There were magical moments. Athena spending the afternoon pampering her Nanny, doing her nails, Alethea chatting away, Shae proudly delivering a handmade card and Kal’s special “nanny cuddles”. There were times when it was hard…..Shae asking why the cancer had not been cut out…..then watching helpless as my six year old son broke down and cried…..times when I really struggled to hold my own tears in….one gentle hand on my shoulder once from a GP or holding hands with mum as she received her last rites on that Wednesday morning…”her provision for the journey” (I’m not a religious person but for mum it would have been important and I will always be grateful to our local Vicar, Rev’d Pam Powell who was such a great source of support for mum during those final few weeks and for coming straight round on that Wednesday morning).

Mal was going back to Canada early hours of the Monday morning…..so that Sunday I cooked a huge Lamb dinner with homemade rice pudding……it was to be Mum’s last meal……Mum stopped eating on the Monday. By the Friday I had all but moved in…..dad would spend the night with Mum and I would spend the day with her……taking breaks to run down and see the kids when she had a visitor…………It was important to me and dad that she wasn’t left alone. Over the weekend Mum was very agitated and sleeping lots…..calling out for her cousin Pearl – fighting with something that disturbed her mind….we were struggling to get her crushed tablets down her …..by the Sunday night I called the doc out….he put mum on a syringe driver which offered her a considerable amount of pain relief….and she finally settled with her thoughts…..she was completely at rest with whatever had troubled her…..which was a huge relief…..seeing anyone you love in any form of distress is just horrendous…..being unable to do anything about it is even worse

spending precious hours with mum….x

I had got into a routine of washing Mum…..and taking care of her mouth….making sure it was not dry etc…….now anyone who knows me will raise an eyebrow at that…..I really do not do nursing……Mum knew it as well……On the Monday I was applying some cream and just chatting away to her….she murmured just three words…..”I Love You” …….No one has said she spoke to them….but I would love to carry the knowledge that Mum’s last words were solely for me….On the Tuesday…..carrying out what was now our little routine….as I was cleaning her mouth….she opened her eyes, scrunched her nose up and tried to smile……it stopped me in my tracks…….this lovely strong lady who had always put her children first…was doing it again……the strength and will it must have taken her to try and smile……those two actions are buried deep in my heart….x

Wednesday started no different to any other day……apart from mums feet had gone cold…….

I spent a the whole day with her…..today she was quiet and at peace and did not wake up at all….and usually if I let go of her hand for even a second she would murmur or move her fingers to search for that comfort….today she did not. Today she had slipped even further away from us.

It was about 7 and I would always run down and put my two boys in bed……..Jo had persuaded Dad to have something to eat and was going to fetch him a Chinese….. so I went with her to pick it up…..it was about 7:40 by the time I got back (a little later than normal time of 7:20)…….I stuck my head in and announced to her I’m back!” Mum at this point turned her head and opened her eyes…….her eyes which had been very pale and opaque were completely lit up….they were shining and bright and full of calm peace and love..I took her hand ….it was completely mesmerising…..to this day I don’t know why or how but I knew she was going to leave us…..I shouted for dad….He came in…..I just quietly told him “it’s time for mum to go……..” He got on the bed scooped her up like a baby in his arms and I held onto her hands…..then while Dad told her how much he loved her…..I said our goodbyes and re-enforced how much we all loved her and that we would miss her……I told her to say hello to my Nan and Uncle Bob and Uncle Moss…….she draw a couple of gasps and was very gently taken to where her pain would be no more. Her final moments were beautiful and I truly believe that she waited for me to get back…..she held my hand through life and I wanted to hold hers as she passed onto her final life…..all the the pain of recent months had disappeared as she shed her body and was guided to a better place

……Walking down the Isle, in the church, alongside my brothers carrying our mum while Sarah Brightman & Andrea Bocelli poured out “time to say Goodbye” should have upset me….Standing in the Church reading her Eulogy is something I didn’t think about, watching dad sit alone by mum’s coffin….. taking mum back out the Church while Boyzone sang “No matter What” and people blew kisses and touched mum’s wicker basket should have touched me……and eventually releasing the straps to place my mum into the ground should have broken me…….it didn’t…..because It was mum’s last wish that we do all those things for her – Her final hours that her body graced this world had been her way, simple and a celebration of who she was, light and full of love and admiration for her presence and what she meant to those who came…….and for the final time I was going to put my mum first above anything….. Goodnight and God bless. x

June was born 1st November 1941 in Oldbury, West Midlands. The eldest of four children Pauline, Mal and Moss. A relatively happy childhood spent playing mother to the three siblings and any other she could tuck under her wing….Although June passed her 11 plus, she preferred to stay at home “blacking the grate” and generally doing anything to get out of school, especially P.E and games! She enjoyed housework so much that after highly polishing the stairs one day, her father went from top to bottom on a small mat which she had left at the top. He stated “I could have caught the bus, had the front door been left open”.

It was in the October of 1959 that June first met Brian, travelling to work on the same bus each evening. June had fierce competition for Brian’s attention in the name of Jean her arch enemy… One Saturday dinner time on the “Two Twelve” bus, both frantically applying lipstick, Brian boarded the bus and had to decide which girl to sit by ……..

Needless to say he made to right decision and June and Brian were happily married on March 18th1961. Although June settled into married life extremely well, she did make a few fumbles along the way ….. like cooking Brian a warm stew to come home to and instead of twenty little dumplings, Brian struggled with four dumplings which took over the stew and the kitchen!!…..or the constant bargain hunting, like the job lot of toothpaste she proudly brought home ….for false teeth! Always on that lookout for the elusive bright yellow reduced sticker, she had even been known to root through somebody else’s basket for them.

A love of music led to qualifications in ballroom dancing, and a sacrifice of her favourite black shoes that she had to paint silver…although severely breaking her ankle in later life whilst doing the twist, put a rein on her bopping….and to the relief of her children stopped the public rock, rolling and jiving with Brian!

Her pride and joy arrived in the form of her four children, Wayne, Mark, myself and Jason. She was always there to share the smiles and mop the tears, the cool hand on your brow when you were ill, the warm hand in yours when you were scared, nothing on this earth can separate us from her….not time….not space…..not even death…. her love really was unconditional. She was our protector….our warrior…..our mum

Married for nearly 52 years, June took great delight in renewing their vows two years ago in the same church they had originally married. Surrounded that day by many of you here today…..her family and her friends. A day I’m sure you will agree was one to be treasured.

June adored the sea. From day trips as a child, to family caravan holidays down in Devon. One of her last wishes during her final illness was fulfilled by simply eating fish and chips by the sea, with a few of her grandchildren, as the sun set. June also loved gardening and flowers and so had plenty of opportunities to design gardens during her and Brian’s 27 house moves! As a child I often wondered whether I had any Romany blood in me with the amount of times we moved. June’s perfection with her gardens, often left her frustrated with Brian’s take on gardening (and various other DIY jobs!), when asked to prune a few rose bushes she discovered he had completely mutilated them leaving just a twig poking out of the ground and believe me he was only ever asked to “weed”once……!!

June’s determination to overcome each illness was inspired by her grandchildren: Jessica, Luke, Daniel, Simon, Alethea, Sophie, Athena, Lefie, Shae, Kal, Tia….and the grandson she will never hold….Jude. Not forgetting her great Grandchildren: Kayden and Darcy. She was so very proud of them all, and took great delight in receiving a hand drawn picture…..a shell from the beach or simply a hug…….

June’s brave battle came to a very peaceful end on that Wednesday evening……in Brian’s arms…..warm loving hands this time holding hers tightly….and words of love and encouragement to send our fighter on her way. She was such a wonderful warm person, who saw no fault in anyone,only ever goodness. A cup of tea was never far away when visiting, which possibly explained, the 2000+ Yorkshire teabags hidden all over the place! Her smile was as welcoming as her tea and she would always put others before herself, but today we put June first ……I hope you will join me one last time in wishing June…. “Goodnight, God bless”, from all of us.

It has taken a while to actually write this…..Corky was such a huge character that every-time I tried I ended up a little tearful.

Corky arrived as a small kitten just before Christmas a few years ago….along with his brother Ceylon….and of course Mr Darcy. Corky lead the gang of three straight away….taking on our Labradoodle, Tikka…..and when he was bored with her, he went on to terrorise the neighbours dogs, chickens, ducks….even children!!!!!

He was naughty, cocky, arrogant…..BUT he was the most loving, affectionate furry…..if he spotted you his tail would shoot straight up with the top just kinked over….ready for that head-butt and huge purr…..he would often be find head on pillow snuggled up with my daughter Alethea…fast alseep…..or just sprawled out next to her while she watched TV or played.

Those of you who followed “TheBruvs” on twitter will appreciate the fun that the boys had…..in real life this is exactly how Corky lived…..ALWAYS up for the next adventure. Playing up at the church, in fields of sheep, running in front of cars, stranded up trees laughing at a big German shepherd. He was a true wanderer, sometimes gone for days – BUT he always returned to his home, his food bowl and his cuddles……..his nine lives he used and when they ran out he just grinned and carried on….that was corky.

A few weeks ago we got that dreaded message that a cat similar to our Corky had been knocked over…..sadly we brought him home for the last time.

I would like to think that he is now having an absolute ball up at Rainbow Bridge….I’m sure he is. He leaves behind a huge hole especially in the life of my daughter Alethea………

Peshwarli – “Peshi” was Ms Botsi’s full blood sister both born 30 June 1998.

Today we had to make a tough decision….to do the kindest thing for Peshi and end the potential suffering she would endure. So at 10.30 Sunday 15th November just a few weeks after losing Botsi, Peshi finally, after a battle with the Vet, lay down with me cradling her head & talking softly into her ear, closed those beautiful big green eyes and went to reunite with her sister.

Her final minutes were very traumatic, her heart was weak & so could not pump the “injection” around her system….but she was so brave, as animals so very often are. She accepted what was her fate and bore it with dignity. It is a shame that we “superior” Homo sapiens can not learn something from the animal kingdom….they never complain, bare pain & discomfort with dignity & are loyal…always :(

Peshi’s life was a real rollercoaster….she suffered from “nerves” and on a few occasions had been on steroids in order to calm her…..but she was always faithful to those close to her. Headbutts being her speciality she could knock a drink out of your hand with just one headbutt!!!!

From a kitten she chose to sleep on my feet….each night she would bound up the stairs, wait until I got into bed, then circle up and down the bed until she flopped on my feet….and there she would stay. When I was in hospital having given birth to my first baby….the only thing I missed was the weight of Peshi on my feet!!

Peshi was a beautiful, soft, kind hearted, gentle soul to those who she worshipped…..people who she did not like or know, were given one of her best hisses….then she would run and hide.

I am sure she has found peace within her soul up at Rainbow Bridge, where she can trust everyone. I know she will forgive us for the decision we made….and that she passed on hearing my voice telling her to give that sister of hers a big kiss…..goodnight my brave Peshi…*X*

May I Go

Do you think the time is right?
May I say goodbye to pain filled days and endless lonely nights?
I’ve lived my life and done my best, an example tried to be.
So can I take that step beyond, and set my spirit free?
I didn’t want to go at first, I fought with all my might.
But something seems to draw me now to a warm and living light.
I want to go, I really do; it’s difficult to stay.
But I will try as best I can to live just one more day.
To give you time to care for me and share your love and fears.
I know you’re sad and afraid, because I see your tears.
I’ll not be far, I promise that, and hope you’ll always know,
That my spirit will be close to you wherever you may go.
Thank you so for loving me. You know I love you too,
And that’s why it’s hard to say goodbye and end this life with you.
So hold me now just one more time and let me hear you say,
Because you care so much for me, you’ll let me go today

Those of you who read my blog….and join us on Twitter will be aware that Ms Botsi lost her brave battle against Cancer on Friday.

Rainbow’s Bridge…..

Warm Light coming from far below,

Twinkling, sparkling is the candle’s Glow.

All is well up on the ridge,

The place we know as rainbow’s Bridge.

Furbabies sleeping in Heaven’s Light,

Tended by candles in the night

Peaceful dreams be theirs to keep,

As they slumber in this night so deep.

Hearts on earth that miss them so

Take comfort in the candle’s glow

watching for them in skies above,

Bound eternally by a cord of love.

On Thursday evening she was looking and behaving very cheeky…..jumping on the Kitchen table (not something normally allowed!!!) parading up and down really strutting her stuff!!!! wanting to kiss & headbutt everyone who came her way.

During the night she was sick several times…..and by 6.30 in the morning she was in a coma-state…..knowing she was coming towards the end of her 11 years we made her very comfortable and talked constantly to her. She had insisted on staying in the bathroom during the night, resisting all efforts to place her somewhere else, It was decided that unless she showed signs of pain she would remain with us until the end. The children rose and were gently told that Botsi was going to go to sleep and then she would join Grandad and Candi across the Rainbow Bridge….each said their goodbyes….even little Kal at the tender age of two waved and said “nite nite BotBot”

The four children each had their bath…..with Botsi quietly lying listening to the everyday busy noises of our house. When the last of the kids had been dispatched downstairs ….I sat with Botsi her head cradled in my hand…. every few minutes she would let out a long sigh with a quiet purr…. Mr Darcy sat by my side. Eventually her breathing became very shallow, her mouth opened slightly and her four paws very slowly moved as if she was running her last run through the long grass that she loved so much…. leaning over her I kissed her nose and told her to let go of this world, and to sleep, my tears wetting her fur she stopped breathing…. for a few seconds those paws twitched, Mr Darcy cried a beautiful song as she made her way over to that other world across to the Rainbow Bridge that would lead her to a safe, warm pain-free place where she could play happily in her long grass until she heard me whistling again……the day we are all reunited once more forever.

This month we lost Uncle Moss…..my Mums youngest Brother only 54 when he passed away. Full of fun and mischief is really the only way to describe him, known affectionately as “the lovable rogue” …. devoted completely to his family and a very proud Grandad. A true Manchester City Fan (although why I have no idea?…born and bred in the Midlands his allegiance should have been reflected in the support of Villa, Birmingham City or West Brom….but these were “swear words to him!!!) apart from his family and Man city his other passions were Reggae….real reggae. It was at a very tender age that I first listened to Judge Dread (English Reggae & Ska musician) For anyone who is not familiar with Judge Dread he is in the Guinness Book of records for the “most banned Songs” ………….Need I say more? great for a young kid!!!!! Facebook – this is where I actually had most of my contact with him….his jokes were sometimes so bad I had to either hide them or delete them…but always made me smile!!! and towards the end of his short life when he wasn’t on facebook he would be found watching his favourite film….Green Street Hooligans.

Uncle Moss & Aunty Tina

Uncle moss had no religious beliefs and I am sure he will be laughing from those fluffy clouds if he knew that the Undertakers were actually “charging” for people to pay their last respects…. I was actually disgusted when I found that out. While I appreciate these guys do a good job….it is after all just a job to them…..for them to “make extra” cashing in on peoples grief is somewhat staggering…. whatever next?

Anyway me off my soapbox….

Yesterday Uncle Moss left his house for the last time….followed by an army of cars and walkers…..As is true in the old close knit community….people stood in their doorways, on pavements….just to show their last respect…and as we followed Uncle Moss into the Church “King of the Road” echoed throughout….The vicar obviously did his best to keep the service far away from being religious and quite humorous….made all the funnier by a older member of the “followers” wanting to “get up and dance” as “Three steps to Heaven” played!! I am sure Uncle Moss would have had a smile at the records chosen and of the antics of some!! “I did it My way” ended the service and Uncle Moss was laid to rest amidst a sea of tears….roses and cigarettes joined him in his final resting place…..and half hour later glasses were raised…

last week we lost Grandad Ron…..who’s brave heart just stopped beating .

Telling the girls someone had passed away was something I had not thought about…but having lost a cat earlier this year it was easier for Alethea to understand that Grandad had actually gone to play with the cat in “Heaven” ……not one of the nicest things a parent can do….but I am always open with my children and believe if children have questions then answers should be given and that honesty is always the best policy.

I asked the girl’s if they would to write their nanny a card….both set about writing a card and making a picture….

Alethea’s said the following….

to nanny i am sorrie i hop granddad wil be alrite in heavan……

They both wrote cards for Grandad to “take” with him…

Alethea's picture to Grandad

Athena's Poem for Grandad

what more can you add to that?……

Ron was a very old fashioned man, a true gentleman. A door would be opened, he would not sit until all the ladies present sat, he and I had spent many hours discussing the years he spent fighting in the war, he talked about watching his friends blown up in-front of him, about certain countries where the people he was fighting for would scavenge through the pockets of the dead soldiers….his time spent in hospital because he had wounds so bad in his legs you could see from one side through the flesh to the other!!!……but he never wanted or expected pity or sympathy-it was his duty (in actual fact he lied about his age and joined up to fight before he was legally entitled to!!!). Ron was a true gentleman who worshipped his lady…….I was convinced had there been a puddle he would have laid down his coat for Marilyn to walk over. They spent, I am sure a wonderful 15 years together and I was privileged to have known him for 13 of those…..Ron’s old fashioned view on life often ran parallel to mine…..although we differed on a few issues we never once fell out….we discussed, listened and more than often agreed.

but above all he was a “Granddad” …..When Athena was born…..to this day I can still see the pride on the grandparents faces as they raced down the maternity ward on that first visit……and although technically Ron was a “step-Granddad” he was and always will be “granddad”

Today we said our final “goodbye” to Ron….and I am sure wherever he is….he was very proud of both his partner Marilyn and the girls. The girls were very brave and both whispered “goodbye” when the curtain closed around Ron and it was with tears streaming as the Royal British Legion (also friends of Ron) lowered the “Standard” and played “the last post” a fitting tribute to a very brave gentleman, partner and grandad.

I will close this tribute to Ron with the poem that Marilyn bravely read out today……

He is Gone

You can shed a tear that he is gone
or you can smile because he has lived

You can close your eyes and pray he’ll come back
or you can open your eyes and see all he’s left.

Your heart can be empty because you can’t see him
or you can be full of the love you shared

You can turn your back on tomorrow and live for yesterday
or you can be happy for tomorrow because of yesterday.

You can remember and only that he’s gone
or you can cherish his memory and let it live on.

You can cry and close your mind, be empty and turn your back
or you can do what he’d want: smile, open your eyes love and go on.

I had her has a kitten in Oct 1993….I actually wanted her sister who was a beautiful long-haired Tortie….but as is usually the way…the cat chose me!!!

So snuggled in my pocket we went home…..

Candi was probably one of the most unsociable cats I have ever come across…..she would attack the poor postman (on a regular basis), one friend of mine was actually scared of coming through my front door, she thrived on how much blood she could obtain from a teasing hand! the other cat who lived with me at the time (my wonderful Plebe) had his work cut out with the ball of terror…

She would jump on the backs of pheasants and make them squeal, climb a tree and then get stuck, poor Plebe would often come home and do his “Lassie” thing of meowing constantly until I followed him to wherever candi was in trouble!!!

Then I had my first baby….Athena came home in the July 1999 and candi changed….gone was the ball of spitting, hissing nastiness….in it’s place was a faithful, lovely natured Tortie….who absolutely adored the baby!!!

and so that’s how we remember her…..good with all the kids…a gentle old lady who dealt with the scamps of Mr Ceylon and Mr Corky with a mean look….or a swift paw.

she loved a cuddle and hug….and dribbled her pleasure usually a few minutes before you were due out…and dressed up!

Candi sadly died on Easter Sunday 2009… only a few months before her 16th Birthday….we miss her doddery ole slow-paced presence, her mind was not the sharpest towards the end, this led to some funny and also sad moments….she had earned her place at the top of the cat placing…and she deserved it

I sure hope she has gained those feline wings and not causing any bother….

A long time ago…(Actually 19 years ago) I heard of a lady who took all manner of cats into her home. I had just left poly, and had set up “house” with a couple of mates. Now I have been around animals…esp cats since I was old enough to remember…..have even at the tender age of 15 helped one of our dear cats, who was missing her teeth give birth to three lovely kittens.

I’m a cat lover….

So here I am….living in a house….with no cat!

Off I trot to see this very special lady, who gave up her house to rescue cats/kittens. When I got there I was amazed (and I can still drag this memory up) to see what felt like hundreds of cats/kittens living in this lovely lady’s home…..there was a huge beautiful ginger tom, lying on the sofa with his legs in plaster….some very brave individuals had used him as a football…..there were kittens everywhere. but the house which you think who smell….did not….it was very clean….just busy!!!

As I walked into the lounge…..about 40 kittens came running up to me….they came from curtains, behind sofa’s just everywhere……they stood checked me out….then scampered off to play with something much more exciting than a human!!!

As I looked down there sat a scruffy, fur missing, pot-bellied black kitten….just staring up at me….as I looked at him he opened his mouth and squeaked…..I bent down and picked him up….The lovely lady said that he was being treated for worms/and a skin condition….and that there were much prettier kittens than “Tubby” (his official RSPCA name) So I placed “Tubby” down and proceeded to look at the “other prettier kittens” …..

As I moved slowly round the room “Tubby” moved with me….until it suddenly dawned on me…..I was not here to “pick a kitten” the kitten was going to choose me…..I bent down grinning and picked young “Tubby” up….he looked at me and grinned back….

“Tubby” was officially adopted by me in the may of 1990

Of course his name could never suit him!!!….and I left it a few days to check out his personality…

The little pot-bellied fur-missing black kitten turned out to be one of the funniest, intelligent….faithful cats I have ever known, and so he was named “Plebe” (at the time a common name for someone who was not the sharpest tool in the shed)

Plebe very soon became a huge part of not just my life….but everyone who came in contact with him!!

Within walking distance of our house was a range of shops (including a video rental, Chinese takeaway and general grocery) now every Friday we would place an order with the Chinese and leave Plebe (who would follow us) sitting on a chair waiting for our order, while me and my housemate nipped next door to get a video (and some alcoholic beverage) ….now, one day Plebe decided….he was not going to sit and wait…..he was coming to choose the video…..so much amused we let him…

5 minutes after looking at videos (shows the year ?) I was accosted by a rather large, loud lady (I use the term Lady very loosely)

“you should be ashamed of yourself!!” “dumping a poor cat and her kitten at the back of the shops!” “well you will wait here while I report you!” and so on……

My friend had slipped behind a rack, helpless with laughter, while Plebe just sat, looking very innocent at my feet

This “Lady” was not giving up….the insults were getting worse….So I asked what she was on about?

“you leave this poor black cat behind the shops with her kitten….I’ve seen them playing….with no home to go to!! you have dumped the kitten and this poor black cat goes there each day to see it’s baby!!!!” She was getting a little hysterical at this point…

“Errrrrrr, this poor black cat is a male cat”….I offered up to her

She stood for a moment with her mouth opening and closing….did I need to call an ambulance? get a goldfish bowl?

until she BOOMED out………

“SO HE IS THE FATHER!!!!!”

true story…

Plebe was indeed a legend…..everyone who came in contact with him….would be won over be his impish yet intelligent ways..

Like the day he slide from top to bottom of a stair rail……just to make a mate of mine who was beside herself with sadness burst into laughter

or the day he fell through a conservatory roof….and then came in, dusted himself down…..and looked back as if to say….think that needs replacing!!!

but above all he was always there…..to soak up tears on his beautiful black coat…

He chose to live with me for nearly 12 years suppling me with laughter, tears and pride.

Plebe was taken from me in the may of 2002, cancer claimed his body and heaven claimed back an angel…